With more than half the NBA interested in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, the Golden State Warriors might be in the lead.

If, that is, they're willing to pull the trigger on the Timberwolves' latest proposal.

According to two people with knowledge of the situation, Minnesota's asking price of the Warriors includes veteran forward David Lee, third-year shooting guard Klay Thompson and a future first-round draft pick. In return, the Warriors also receive would veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin.

The Warriors' apparent willingness to discuss Thompson is potentially huge in the negotiations, as they have previously resisted the notion of giving him up and it appears Love could be theirs if they ultimately let Thompson go. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the negotiations.

The Warriors had yet to respond to Minnesota's latest offer, and there was no urgency to execute the deal with the NBA draft a week away.

PHOTOS: KEVIN LOVE THROUGH THE YEARS

Kevin Love, left, is one of the best power forwards in the NBA and soon will rejoin 2012 Olympics teammate LeBron James with the Cavaliers. Flip through this gallery to see the path he took. (Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)

Love was dominant for Lake Oswego (Ore.) High School. Here he goes up for a basket in the 2005 state championship game as a sophomore. Love won the state title as a junior. (Photo: Greg Wahl-Stephens, AP)

Love and the Clippers' Blake Griffin have an ongoing rivalry for the title of best power forward, which started during Griffin's rookie season when the title was best young power forward. (Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)

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But the Warriors' view of Martin certainly will come into play, as he would take Thompson's role while playing on a contract that is significantly cheaper than the one they likely would have to pay Thompson in the years to come. And there's the rub with the 24-year-old who averaged 18.4 points a game last season and has become one of their best perimeter defenders.

At this rate, Thompson – who has one season left on his rookie contract but is eligible for an extension this summer – would be well within reason to expect a salary of $10 million a year and possibly much more. What's more, a person with knowledge of his situation said Thompson would be asking for a maximum-salary contract on his next deal. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks.

Martin, meanwhile, is entering the second season of a four-year deal paying him a combined $28 million and could help keep Golden State (current payroll of $61 million for 2015-16, with the salary cap expected to be $63.2 million next season) from soaring into the luxury tax (likely $77 million next season). The 10-year veteran averaged 19.1 points a game and shot 43% overall and 38.7% from three-point range last season.

The Timberwolves have sent strong signals around the league that they want to be competitive right away with proven players acquired in a deal for Love rather than rebuild by acquiring multiple draft picks, and the Golden State deal could help them do that. Still, there are plenty of teams in the mix. The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are thought to be on Minnesota's short list of possibilities.

GALLERY: NBA offseason coaching carousel

Byron Scott was hired by the Lakers after being fired a year ago by the Cavaliers. Scott, a great player for the Lakers in the 1980s and 1990s, has a 416-521 career record with three teams (Cleveland, New Orleans and New Jersey). (Photo: Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)

The Cavaliers hired David Blatt, a veteran European coach with no NBA experience. Blatt last coached Maccabi Tel Aviv but also has coached the Russian national team and other teams in Israel, Russia, Greece, Italy and Turkey. (Photo: Guiseppe Cacace, AFP/Getty Images)

Flip Saunders already was the Timberwolves' president of basketball operations, but after not landing the head coach he wanted, he'll take that job, too. Saunders has a 638-526 career record. (Photo: Richard Sennott, AP)

Steve Kerr will get his first coaching experience with the Warriors, who hired him to replace Mark Jackson. Kerr was general manager of the Suns from 2007 through 2010. (Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sport)

Mike Woodson was fired by new Knicks president Phil Jackson despite a 109-79 record in 2½ seasons in New York. Woodson is 315-365 in 8½ seasons as a head coach. (Photo: Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)

John Loyer may still have a job with the Pistons, but the interim head coach tag is no longer his. Loyer went 8-24 after taking over for Maurice Cheeks but will be replaced by Stan Van Gundy. (Photo: Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports)